Record health budget boost for Western Queensland

More than $408 million will be invested in healthcare in Western Queensland in 2018-19, with the Palaszczuk Government delivering a health budget that focuses on strengthening frontline services and managing rising demand.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the budget reflected the Government’s commitment to providing quality health services in rural and remote Queensland.

“No matter where in Western Queensland you call home, you will have access to high-quality healthcare,” he said.

“Tomorrow’s State Budget will deliver on the healthcare commitments we made to Queenslanders at the election.”

“Our State Budget will include a record $18.3 billion for health services and infrastructure in Queensland in 2018-19.”

Mr Miles said the operating budgets of the three hospital and health services (HHS) in Western Queensland in 2018-19 will total $408.5 million, almost $21 million more than the previous financial year.

North West HHS, which services approximately 32,000 people over 300,000 square kilometres, will receive $182 million – an increase of $9.5 million on the previous financial year’s budget. Priorities in North West for 2018-19 include:

• Continuing the $8.4 million replacement multi-purpose health facility at Julia Creek
• $1.2 million for initiatives aimed at retaining the rural and remote nursing workforce
• $456,000 growth funding to meet projected increase in activity including emergency department presentations, elective surgery and outpatients
• $221,000 for community mental health treatment services

Central West HHS, which cares for more than 10,000 people over 382,800 square kilometres, will receive $76.7 million - an increase of $3.1 million on the previous financial year’s budget. Priorities in Central West for 2018-19 include:

• $1.1 million for initiatives aimed at retaining the rural and remote nursing workforce
• $120,000 for community mental health treatment services and
• $1.5 million for new and expanded services associated with the Longreach Hospital redevelopment, including day surgery and medical imaging services.
• $1.2 million in 2018-19 to progress the $17.9 million Blackall Hospital redevelopment

The budget for South West HHS, which serves about 26,000 people over 319,000 square kilometres, will be $149.9 million, an increase of $8.2 million on the previous financial year’s budget. Priorities in South West for 2018-19 include:

• $2.9 million for initiatives aimed at retaining the rural and remote nursing workforce
• $123,000 for community mental health treatment services
• $100,827 to improve gastrointestinal endoscopy services and
• progressing the new $90 million Roma Hospital.

In this year’s State Budget, the Palaszczuk Government is investing in Health’s operating budget by a record $17.3 billion in 2018-19, an increase of $729.3 million from the 2017-18 budget.

The Government is boosting health infrastructure. The capital budget will be $985.5 million in 2018-19, an increase of $69.4 million from 2017-18.

ENDS

Media contact: Katharine Wright – 0428 957 903 / Amy Hunter - 0423 651 484